According to a justice ministry official, the Iraqi
government has officially
executed 69 people during 2012. Last year, only 68 people suffered the
death penalty during the entire year. Four of the recently condemned were put
to death yesterday. Two of them were found guilty on terrorism charges, while
the other two were common criminals.

Groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights, have
recently criticized
the increasing number of executions. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
called on Iraq to suspend the death penalty until there is more transparency in
the courts.

The numbers only reflect official executions. What has gone
on in Iraq’s secret
prisons is not completely known. As recently as November, the Interior
Ministry has been accused
of killing prisoners, and the ministry once harbored Shi’ite death
squads.

At least five Iraqis were killed and five more were
wounded in other violence.